overactivity of the adrenal gland medical term

Secondary hyperparathyroidism develops when another disease or condition - such as kidney disease or a vitamin D deficiency - lowers the level of calcium in your body, causing the parathyroid to work overtime secreting more PTH in an attempt to balance calcium levels.

In rare cases, parathyroid cancer or genetic disorders (such as multiple endocrine neoplasia and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism) may cause overactivity. It is often caused by a growth (typically noncancerous) on a gland or overactivity of one or more parathyroid glands. This may be associated with a risk of bone loss and kidney stones. Primary hyperparathyroidism is when one or more of the four parathyroid glands secretes too much PTH, causing your calcium blood levels to rise.

There are two types of hyperparathyroidism, or over-active parathyroid: Their combined knowledge and experience in bone and parathyroid diseases allows them to provide comprehensive care to patients whose bones are affected by parathyroid problems. Our physicians are also world-renowned specialists in osteoporosis. Because we see a large number of patients with all types of parathyroid disease, we are able to pick up on indications in blood work and imaging scans that might be missed by less experienced physicians. UChicago Medicine endocrinologists are among a select number of physicians in the region with strong experience in treating parathyroid disorders, including complex cases that may not be easy to diagnose or manage. Thus, too much or too little calcium not only affects your bones but also your heart, digestive tract, kidneys, muscles and brain. In addition to keeping bones strong, calcium plays a key role in other fundamental biological functions, including muscle contractions and communication between nerve cells.

Hypoparathyroidism: When the parathyroid is under-active, producing too little PTH and causing blood calcium levels to fall.

Hyperparathyroidism: When the parathyroid produces too much PTH, causing blood calcium to rise to unhealthy levels.

As a result, blood calcium levels get out of whack, causing one of two conditions: This vital balance can get disrupted when the parathyroid glands malfunction, due to a disease, injury or another cause. In contrast, when the parathyroid secretes less hormone, the bones give up less calcium. When more of this hormone is circulating, the bones release additional calcium into your blood. When the level of these minerals rise or fall below normal, these four tiny glands adjust the amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH) they secrete.

The parathyroid glands, which are located in your neck, constantly monitor and control the amount of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium circulating in your blood.

Overactivity of the adrenal gland medical term